Hi there,can anyone suggest the best express train from Mumbai to Varanasi,the train timetable is mind bogglingAlso as it is a long journey any suggestions for stop offs how would this work out would I buy one ticket with stops included or different tickets?Is it true that Varanasi is a building site at the moment due to dam work going on.Any advise will be greatly appreciated.I will be travelling on the 10th.december.Wish me good luck.

Hiya,yes have tried in vain...cannot register...can find sleeper class tickets available,then unable to register.Spent hours got no where.Do you think it would be possible to find tickets available at the tourist quota office in V.T. if we go there after arriving?Thank you for your reply.Kate.

For checking on trains, have a look also at http://erail.in?T=BCT::BSB:. It's an unofficial but very handy and user-friendly site. Acquaint yourself with all its various fields some (it features a Help section as well I think); notably, hit individual train numbers to get a breakdown of all their details in lower screen; take note of their running days (upper screen); and take note of their departure and arrival stations (given with their full routes in lower screen again, once you do check those individual train numbers, given at left in upper screen).

You can take all those data back to the IRCTC site to book; however, the latter site can be hard to negotiate at the best of times, moreover there have been serious indications discussed here of late that once again it has become hard if not impossible for foreigners to book there.

makemytrip....rip off.

Hi all....has anyone had problems with makemytrip train bookings?I tried today to book a train from Mumbai to Varanasi.
Seats available so progressed to payment,entered my credit card details...then told there was a problem inputting and to try again which I did.It appeared to go ahead until a message to say cannot be processed due to technical hitch and to try again later.I have just logged onto my makemytrip account to find that I have been charged for 12 seats!!that are not available and a refund will be made in 7 days time.What should I do now..any help will be greatly appreciated.

Hi,I have tried in vain to get any answers from the customer care telephone numbers....surprise...surprise .Will just have to wait and see if the refunds actually take place...Interestingly when I try to book the same journey today 65 seats are still available..this would indicate that makemytrip are posting seats as available when they are not....taking money taking booking charges for non existent seats!!!